The thoughts and actions of writer David Foster Wallace’s work comes to life, in a film based on an interview that has never been read or heard from his fans. “The End of the Tour” tells the story of the five day interview between Rolling Stone reporter and novelist, David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) and acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel), which took place right after the 1996 publication of Wallace’s groundbreaking epic novel, “Infinite Jest”. As the days go on, a tenuous yet intense relationship seems to develop between journalist and subject. The two men adapt around each other, sharing laughs and also possibly revealing hidden frailties, but it’s never clear how truthful they are being with each other. The film isn’t a movie that is going to be recommended to everyone, but for those who can appreciate it’s true genius, the movie pays off with some valuable life lessons, as well as two emotionally impactful performances from the film’s two leads. The back and forth interraction between Segal and Eisenberg crafts two very different lifestyles coming together to appreciate just how much they have in common. We follow Eisenberg for the entire movie, and it’s in his nervous twitches and borderline jealousy around a writer who is more critically acclaimed where the movie builds to a confrontation where both sides are respectfully evident to each person. Segal gives easily the best performance of his life. I worried a little bit that his antics would come across more as a comedic role to the audience, but i am glad to say that is not the case. There’s a moving loneliness in his eyes, and a soft spoken nature in his speech that gives us a glimpse, but makes the audience work (Like Lipsky) for the answers they receive. The pacing stays the same throughout the whole movie. Deciding against many chances, and that can be a good thing for this particular film, as it knows that the real beef lies within the very mysteries and choices of Mr. Wallace. While it’s not particularly exciting at all times for the script, the film moves smoothly lies a kind of Odd Couple pairing over the course of five days. On the subject of production and setting, the film’s cinematography focuses on a world in the 90’s which was all about consummerism. Many wide angle shots are done with a plethora of fast food restaurants surrounding Wallace’s hometown. The film does well to transform us into that decade, including Mcdonalds wrapper designs that were the normal for that time. If i did notice one thing that took me out mommentarily, it’s in the couple of cars parked during the movie that were clearly made after 1996 that made the frames. This is easily fixable with some tighter editing, and it’s just laziness not to. Stuff like this might not take me or anyone else completely out of the movie, but it does remind me that this is a film during a time when i am getting lost in two great performances. “The End of the Tour” is the year’s first push towards the Oscar season. It’s an educational look into the mind of one of America’s most mysterious minds, and the always excrutiating battle with fame. It keeps getting better the more i think about it, and this is one review where the rating might change with time.

7/10